Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-08

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visit pleasant and your stay interest
ing. 1t is rumored that you are
planning tour through the
West and South, and we sincerely
hope you can make it convenient to be
in ST. Louis during the time above
mentioned. Allow us to suggest that
no compliment mole fitting could be
bestowed upon the valiant defenders of
a common country by the Chief Execu
tive of a restored Union, and none
would he more highly appreciated than
that conferred by his presence at such
a time and place.
Awaiting your favorable respon1e, we
have the honor to be, sir, yours re-
spectfully, DAVID r. FRANCES,
Mayor of st. Louis
FRAEK GMPNEIE,
President Merchants Exchange;
J0Bv w. NOBLE.
Commander Frank p. Blair Post, No. /,
q. A. II.
TIE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
WAsHNGroN, July 4, 1887.
To Dacid r.. Frdncia, MayOr of The
C1ly of 81. LoVjs; Frank GGicanir,
PrcsiGCm Of the Ncrchm s. r.
G. a8gC, ami Joh} W. NoJlc, C)m-
Handcr Ffdnk II. DiQir Post, No.
I, l.. i. r.:
Gentlemen, While have hitherto
made no formal response to your inv
tation given in February last ID myself
and Mrs. Cleveland to attend the "
tional oncampment Of the Grand Army
of the Republic to be feld in st. Louis
from the 9Th to the Both of September
next, l have verbally indicated my pur-
pose to accept it if | should find it pos
siblc then to be absent from Washing
ton. The statement contained in your
letter that tie organization was never
in 50 foulisEing a condition rs now,
nor its membership so large that
no effort is being spared b. the
citizens of st. Louis to insure
welcome Of unusual warmth Mt
this first encanpment of that body
ever held in southern State. and yoar
fuggostion that no compliment more
fitting could be bestowed upon the
valiant defenders Of co nmon country
by the Chief Executive Of restored
Union, and none would he more hioh-
ly appreciated than that conferred by
his presence at such time and place,
enlisted my feeling a1d interest.
More recently Indications have been
disclosed thai, however correctly YOU
expressed the pre- !ailing sentiment in
the Grand Army, there a"e member
and somc posts of that body entertain
ing different feelings in respect to my
attendance, and that my acceptance OF
your invitation would lead to discord
III the organization as well as an inter
ruption Of cordially at the coming
cncampment.
Without entering into discussion
of these opinions ana unmoyed by any
feeling. although ! deeply regret the
condition, / can but regard it my duty
to refrain from contributing by my a.
ton to so undesirable a result. No
thing can be of greater importance in
connection with the c1campment than
a free and unrestrained manifestation
by It's participants of that patriotic
fraternity Of the feeling suggested by
the selection o, the place OF holding it,
end which is at once a proof Of the
complete success of their arms and the
highest glory of our veteran soldiers.
am constrained, therefore, 10 with
hold my proposed acceptance Of yolr
Invitation. In doing 50 Iassurc You OF
NY unfciened hope and sincere wish
that in the agreeable entertainment
prepared for them by the hospitable
people of St. Louis, the veterans of
the Grand Army may enjoy the most
pleasant, profitable, and useful reInion
in their history.
Very truly yours,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
THE FEELING II 7. LOCiS-THE PEESi-
DENT TO lie INVITED TO COME AT sOIE
OTHER TIME.
ST. LOUIS, July THE Presidents |
letter to Mayor Francis Withdrawing |
his acceptance of the invitation of the
people of st. Louis to visit this city |
curing the Grand Army encampmcnt
has created considerable feeling The
committee that took the invitation to
the President feel that their lat II has
been in vain and are strong in their de-
ANNEXATION of the men who were in
strumeDtal in the defeat OF their plan.
Their friends are equally displeased-
especially so, rs the citizens generally |
of st. Louis had made g.eat
effort to induce the President to
make the visit. The chagrin was so
great with many that they wished to
organize Immediately TO invite the
Grand Army to find another place for
their encampment, and c)me promised
a very icy reception to the gallant sol
diers. There were many others, how
ever, who saw the wisdom of the Pres
ident's course and were pleased that
the city had been relieved OF what
promised to be an unpleasant affair.
They feel that the city has been humili-
ated, and are indignant about it, but
agree that the Grand Army's encamp-
ment shall be glorious success. and
that at some other time the Pr iident
shall have a reception in keeping with
the high Office he holds.
In regard to this the Citizens Com
mittee determined TO take immediate
steps, and at O'Clock this afternoon
assembled in the office of Mayor Francis
and discussed the situation. 1t was
conceded to be an unfortu-
nate state OF affairs, and steps were
taken to have the President invited
TO come at another time. For
this purpose a committee was APP
pointed to prepare resolutions to
be submitted to mass.meeting
OF citizens that will be called to assem-
be at the Merchants Exchange to-
morrow afternoon. These resolutions
will embody an invitation to the Presi-
dent 10 visit this city during the far
week, early in October, or at some
other time that may suit his conye-
nience, and viii promise him an enthu-